Free Chat Love by Justine Faeth Page A

whole tab. She grabs my arm and practically drags me out the door, marching off in the direction of my apartment.
    Later, Danni and I are in my room, sitting on my bed and flipping through photo albums in an attempt to find a picture worth putting up on my profile. Because we are both tipsy, the process is taking longer than necessary. Every time we look at a picture we find ourselves reminiscing and sharing stories, and now it is almost two in the morning and we still haven’t found a photo we like.
    The door to the apartment opens and I hear high heels hitting the floor. The noise approaches my room and Autumn appears in the doorway, a smile on her face. She looks down at the floor and sees the scattered collection of photo albums.
    “What are you guys doing?” she asks, obviously looking to join in on the fun.
    Danni answers her coolly, “We are trying to find a picture that Lu can use for Chat Love.”
    Autumn claps her hands and does an excited little dance. “Lu, this is the best decision you have ever made. You’re going to meet so many nice guys, and I know you are going to meet someone special and marry them and have babies and …”
    I throw my hands up. “Whoa, Autumn—relax. Breathe.”
    Autumn walks in and falls onto my bed with a contented sigh. “I’m going to marry John; I just know it.”
    Danni asks, “The kiss was that good, huh?”
    I hit Danni on the arm to quiet her down. Autumn looks at Danni, obviously confused. “How did you know that John and I kissed?” she asks.
    I quickly say, “Because you’re glowing; I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.” Although I’m fibbing to save our asses, she does look incredibly happy.
    Autumn buys my story and squeals, “He’s perfect! I’m in love.”
    Danni asks, in typical blunt fashion, “So does that mean that you’ll continue dating on Chat Love?”
    Autumn looks offended, “Of course not; I’m done with Chat Love. I found my man and that’s it. That’s the whole point of the site: you find your special someone and get married.”
    I am currently looking through a photo album from college featuring a collection of pictures of me, then blonde, with Ben. As I flip through the pages I ask Autumn, “So does this mean that John is your boyfriend?”
    Autumn rolls her eyes at me as if my question were stupid. “Of course,” she replies, “I don’t just kiss anyone.”
    I stop flipping when I find a picture of me alone at my first art auction with Ben. In the picture, my hair is long and I am pointing to a painting that I’d had my eye on but couldn’t afford. I look happy and carefree. I take the picture out and hold it up. “This is the picture.”
    Danni grabs it out of my hand and stares at the picture. “What? Are you serious?”
    “Let me see it,” Autumn says. Danni passes it to Autumn, who squints her eyes, looking closely at the photograph. She looks up at me and then back at the picture. “Is that you?”
    I take the picture from her, get up from my bed, and grab my laptop. “Yes, it was taken back when I dyed my hair blonde.” I walk out of my room to the living room, where our scanner is. Danni and Autumn follow me.
    Autumn protests, “Lu, that was taken years ago. You don’t even look like yourself in that picture.”
    I connect my laptop to the scanner. “That’s the point. I don’t want anyone I know knowing it’s me on Chat Love, but it’s still a picture that I look pretty in. It’s a win-win situation.”
    Autumn shakes her head, “I think this is a bad idea.”
    Danni nods her head, “For once, I agree with Autumn.”
    My cell phone rings and I look at it to see who could possibly be calling me at this hour. As soon as I see my sister’s house number I feel anxiety in my stomach.
    “Gabby, are you OK? Is everything OK with the baby?” I look up to see Danni and Autumn looking at me nervously, waiting to hear what’s wrong.
    I hear my sister huff. “No, everything’s fine. What are you